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T. Boone Pickens gets portrait at Oklahoma state Capitol

T. Boone Pickens, who grew up in Holdenville, was honored with portrait at the state Capitol.

BY BERRY TRAMEL btramel@opubco.com •
Published: February 15, 2013

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Growing up in Holdenville, T. Boone Pickens would sit on a stool in his grandmother's kitchen and listen to her advice.

“Grandmother lived next door,” Pickens said of Nellie Molonson. “She said, ‘Don't ever forget where you came from.'”

T. Boone Pickens and Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin unveil a painting of Pickens during a ceremony at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City, Thursday February 14, 2013. The portrait was painted by Oklahoma artist Mike Wimmer. Photo By Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman

Pickens never did, as evidenced by the hundreds of millions of dollars he's donated not just to Oklahoma State University, but throughout the state. And Thursday, his home state honored him with the unveiling of a portrait to be hung at the Oklahoma state Capitol.

“Big day for a boy from Holdenville,” said Pickens, the Texas oil baron. “Wish that Grandmother was here. Wish Mother and Dad (Thomas and Grace Pickens) were here. My aunt (Ethel Reed) who was my schoolteacher in Holdenville. That would be a real perfect day. But it is a perfect day anyway. Great day.”

Pickens was feted by Sen. James Halligan, R-Stillwater; Gov. Mary Fallin; Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb; OSU president Burns Hargis; and former state Sen. Charles Ford, who in 1998 initiated the Capitol art program. Former OSU President Halligan was one of the sponsors of Pickens' portrait.